Germany and US 'knew where Eichmann was in 1952'

American and German intelligences services knew where Adolf Eichmann – the logistical mastermind of the Nazi Holocaust – was hiding almost a decade before he was kidnapped and brought to trial, documents being released in Munich show.

Critics believe the inaction on the part of both countries was to protect both German officials and pro-Nazi clergy in the Vatican who helped him escape.

The newspaper Bild reported on Saturday that it had gained access to some of the files of the BND intelligence service showing it knew where Eichmann was hiding under an alias in Argentina as early as 1952.

It was not until 1960 that an Israeli Mossad commando squad kidnapped him and flew him to Israel to stand trial for his war crimes. Eichmann was hanged in Israel in 1962....